Improvement in boiler-feeders



FRANCIS MGGUIRE, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOILER-FEEDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,930, dated March16, 1875; application filed November 20, 1874.

To all whom fit may comem:

- Be it known that LFRANcIs MGGUIRE, of the city of Toronto, Province ofOntario, Canada, have invented Improvements in Boiler- Feeders, of whichthe following is a specification:

My invention relates more particularly to improvements in low-pressureboiler-feeders; and it consists of an upright hollow case, made ofcast-iron or other suitable material, attached to the front or otherconvenient place ou the boiler, in suchaposition that its centerisnearly level with the water-line in the boiler.

The case is connected at the top and bottom, by pipes, with the boiler,the pipe leading from the top of the case entering the boiler above thewater-level into the steam-space, the pipe leading from the bottom ofthe case entering the boiler below low-water mark, both pipes beingfitted With globe-valves. It will be evident, then, that when bothvalves are open the water in both boiler and case will be on the samelevel.

Water under pressure is admitted to the interior of the case through asuitable pipe-connection on the lower part of the case, the aperture ofthis water-supply pipe being closed by a valve operated by a system oflevers connected to a float buoyed on the water contained within thecase.

The position and buoyant power of the float is so adjusted that when thewater is at or above the ordinary working level it keeps the Valve ofthe water-supply pipe closed; but

`* when the level of the water is lowered by the generation andconsumption of steam, or from any other cause, the buoyant orupward-pulling tendency of the float is reduced, allowing the water toenter from the water-suppl y pipe until it reaches its former level,when the float regains its buoyant power, closing the valve agam.

To the feeder are attached the try-cocks and water-gage, which, in theOrdinary construction of water-feeders, have to be applied to theboiler.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of alow-pressure boilerfeeder constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2is a cross-section of the same.

A is the front end of a boiler, against which is placed the case B, insuch a position that the line of the working water-level cuts it alittle above the middle. The case B is constructed of cast-iron or othersuitable material, and is fitted with a detachable bottom, B'. The caseis connected to the boiler and supported by the two pipes O and G1, theformer of which connects at the top of the case and leads into thesteam-space of the boiler, the latter leading from the bottom of thecase to a point below the low-water level of boiler. Both pipes arefitted with globe-valves C2, for cutting off the connection between theboiler and w ater-feeder. D is the water-feed pipe, fitted with globeand check valves, and connected to a plug, D', which enters the feederat the bottom and extends into the chain ber some little distance, thetop d' being finished conical. Through the center of the plug a hole, d,is drilled of smaller diameter than the supply-pipe. The water in thepipe D is supplied under pressure from the city or town main, or fromany other source Which will give it a sufficient force. On the bottom B'of the feeder two standards, E and E', are erected, to the former andhigher of which one end of the lever F is hnged. To the latter the leverF1 is pivoted, so as to form two arms, F2 and F3, unequal in length. The

lever F is connected from a point at or nearA the middle to the end ofthe long arm F2 of the lever F by the links F4. The lower lever F1 isplaced in -such a position that one end, F3, is immediately over the topof the supply-pipe plug, and is enlarged to form a disk, f, the lowerface of which is hollowed out to receive a packing of rubber, fl, orother suitable material, which, when the other end of the lever iselevated, presses tightly upon the top of the supply-plug, closing theopening. G is a hollow sphere float, constructed of sheet-copper orother material, of suitable diameter, and made as light as possible, inorder that it may have the greatest amount of buoyant power whenfloating on the water. G is connected to the lever F by a rod, g. v

In order to insure the perfect working of this mechanism I construct thepins, links, and levers of brass or other suitable material that willnot corrode when in contact With the water. H is a large plug screwedinto the side of the case at a point immediately opposite the end F3 ofthe lever F1, for the purpose of conveniently examining the Working ofthe mechanism, and for cleanin g out the hole in the supply-p'lug shouldit get stopped up. I is the water-gage. J are the try-cocks. In allother feeders these trimmings have to be placed up on the front of theboiler. I claim the centralizing of these trimrnings as a special adVantage peculiar to my construction, as not only are they moreconvenient for inspection to the man in charge of the boiler, but theyrequire less labor in fitting, and dispense With holes in the shell.Another advantage is, the fitting is done in the shop before the feederis attached to the boiler.

For the purpose of describin g the working of my feeder we will supposethat the boiler is empty. Water is admitted through the pipe D, andrises steadily in the boiler and case until it reaches the level shownon the drawings, from which level it is prevented rising by the buoyantpower of the float increased by the arran gement of the levers F and F1,to Which the float is connected, closing the aperture through Which theWater is admitted. As the Water is evaporated into steam and thesteamused, the fioat is again lowered until the pressure of the water on theend of lthe leverFl overcome-s its lifting power and flows into thefeeder until it reaches its former level. Thus the Water is kept at ornear a constant level.

In the low-pressure boiler-feeder at present in general use the caselies horizontally across the hoiler, the water-line passing through ornear the center. The float contained within the case is attached to theendof along straight lever pivoted at one end. The objection to thisfeeder is, that the waterdine is usually very little above the top ofthe inlet-plug, and some times below, allowing the hot water and steamto act injuriously on the rubber paclring, melting it and causing thelever to stick.

In my feeder the Water-level is always from eight to ten inches abovethe packing, and, indeed, the Water within the case is hardly hot enoughto boil. Another advantage is, the Valve opening and closing theplug-aperture has ample lift to allow the Water to flow in freely, Whilethe lift of the Ordinary feeder is necessarily small. A furtheradvantage peculiar to my construction is, that all the operating parts,including the inletplug, are attached to the detachable bottom, and canbe adjusted and tested in the position they are to occupy before theyare put within the case.

I claim as my invention- The float Gr, with connecting-rod g, lever F,hinged to the standard E, Vconnecting-link F4, and lever F1, pivoted onthe standard E', and having the shorter arm F3 enlarged to form a disk,f, in combination With the case B B' and supply-plug D', arranged andoperating sub stantially as and for the purposes specified.

FRANCIS MGGUIRE.

Witnesses:

Gino. A. Ami), HUGE AIRD.

